Solution of complex equation

I have a big equation which have to simplify and make an (a+ib) form and after that I have to evaluate complex conjugate of the same. But within this equation one unknown variable is there. Due to this reason MATLAB can't evaluate the complex conjugate. I can't put the value of the unknown variable because at the end of the program it has to be differentiate with respect to that unknown variable. Kindly help.

Answer 1

[Matt Tearle]

If you're doing symbolic work in MATLAB, you need Symbolic Toolbox

If you want to differentiate numerically or something, one option would be to make your expression a function handle, then do all the manipulations (like the conjugate) when you finally evaluate it.